Fewer Errors Recorded at Local Checkouts Last Year

Did you know that shoppers are four times more likely to be overcharged rather than undercharged on their purchases? That’s the finding of the County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, which recently released its inspection results for 2011.

Last year, inspectors found that 18 percent of the stores they visited had overcharging errors. The good news is the number is down from the previous year, when 20 percent of stores had overcharging errors. In 2011 only one Santee store was , compared to four in 2010. That store was at 10041 Mission Gorge Rd., and that was fine number two, they were also caught overcharging in 2010.

The amount of the overcharge varied by the type of store. The average overcharge at grocery and convenience stores was about $0.41. That is less than other retail stores, such as department and electronic stores, where overcharges average $2.96, although the overcharges at all types of stores was about the same when taken as a percentage of the total sale.

The department inspected more than 20,000 items at more than 1,300 locations last year. The inspectors are responsible for checking the accuracy of things consumers use every day – price scanners, , commercial scales and packaging – to make sure shoppers get what they pay for.  The department is sharing the information, as well as shopping tips, during National Weights and Measures week, which runs through March 7.

Here’s how the County suggests you avoid errors at the register:

• Bring the sales ad with you to the store
• Know that the store is legally required to charge no more than the lowest advertised, posted or quoted price.
• Verify receipts on the premises and notify store management of any price discrepancies

If you are overcharged, you may file a complaint with the County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures at 1-888-TRUE SCAN (1-888-878-3722) or visit www.sdcawm.org.

News release by the County of San Diego with additions